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They’re more than just companions. They’ve become members of the family, worthy of luxe meals, fun excursions, and, yes, birthday parties.They’re more than just companions. They’ve become members of the family, worthy of luxe meals, fun excursions, and, yes, birthday parties.
Can a cat shred these curtains? ) But during the pandemic, the mindset shifted toward creating spaces specifically for them. “With people being home, they really just wanted to take care of all their family members, including their pet,” she says. That means building dog-washing areas , crafting eating stations to suit a pet’s specific ergonomics, and even creating a shoe space for dogs with summer and winter footwear. Hildebrandt, who recently drafted plans for a designated cat room with a tunnel system, believes the “barkitecture” trend is here to stay: “For a lot of younger people, these pets really are becoming their kids, and as such, they’re getting their own rooms and their own spaces.”company Okava Pharmaceuticals announced a clinical trial for a cat-friendly GLP-1. Yes, the same drug class as Ozempic, the injection responsible for our population’s slim-down. Thereports that some people have been administering human GLP-1s to pets off-label, though vets we spoke to say that’s not a practice being discussed in the industry. But MEOW-1, the GLP-1 for cats, does present an intriguing premise. According to the, 61 percent of cats are considered overweight or obese. Amir Nazari, lead veterinarian partner at CityVet Chevy Chase, says current solutions rely solely on changes in diet and activity, and a form of medical intervention could be an additional tool. Of course, there are major differences between cats and humans. Mike Dugan, senior veterinarian at Small Door on 14th Street, notes that the drug helps lessen cravings that can lead to overeating in people, but that’s not an issue for pets who don’t control when and what they eat. So he’s focused on the metabolic implications and whether the drug can actually affect a cat’s weight-loss resistance. “It would be a game changer,” says Dugan.the root touch-ups on our own hair, but dogs are getting diva looks with coloring made specially for pets. Atin Dupont Circle, owner Abby Kirwan says the boom periods are Pride month and Halloween . However, some clients rock a signature look year-round. Because the transformations can sometimes take hours and multiple sessions, groomers try to get a sense of whether dogs actually enjoy the process—and don’t seem agitated—before owners commit to a color job that starts around $225. Kirwan also advises people to consider their dog’s affinity for attention: “It’s going to get a big reaction in public. My dog loves attention, so he’s fantastic for it.” Jodi Goldberg, owner of, says most of the looks at her salon are colorful, including her shih tzu mix Bertha, who sports a pink-and-purple tail. But Goldberg also recalls the rare occasion when someone has come in and asked to color-match a dog’s growing adult coat to their more vibrant puppy fur. “It’s not like human hair coloring,” Goldberg says. “We’re not hair colorists by trade.”Smart collars such as Fi collect data on sleep, hydration, and activity, like the pet version of an Oura Ring. In-home cameras are in vogue, and some are designed to entertain their animal overlords, including theTake a day trip dedicated to your dog. Though they can’t enter the strawberry fields, they can greet the farm animals and explore the grounds. Once your dog has expelled some energy, it’s a three-minute trip tooffers a few different hiking routes, all accessible to dogs, from quick summit treks to longer loops. Refreshments are less than a five-minute drive away: Stop by Comus Beer Garden for frozen cocktails, live music, and sandwiches orfor a BYO picnic to pair with wine. The outdoor areas at both are seasonal, so check before heading over., the park’s paddle-sport rental spot, allows intrepid dogs on paddleboards. After drying off, take a 15-minute drive to downtown Annapolis. Many of the shops are dog-friendly, andDogs run free in this massive garden monitored by staff during designated hours. Pet parents unwind with thin-crust pizza, focaccia sandwiches, and cocktails.Work hard, play hard: The bar/cafe is inside Canine Cardio dog gym, so you can bring yours for a swim or an agility session, then go to the eatery. Though dogs must be leashed, this is a rare indoor space that embraces four-legged guests, ideal for rainy days.Kick back in an Adirondack chair with a beer while your dog roams the leash-free space. “Bark Rangers” help keep pets safe and pick up after them.These beer gardens are casual spaces for dogs to hang, and they can toast your pint with a “puppuccino” of their own.Forget kibble: Fancy pooches dine on sliders, bacon, and turkey bowls at both locations. Some tables have umbrellas to help keep them cool on sunny days.Bring your companion to dine by the water on this expansive terrace. Dogs can go savory with chicken and rice, or opt for a sweet fro-yo.Animal companions are dining on food that isn’t so different from our diets.parents, Sara D’Amelio tries to be conscious about what she feeds her family. Every week, the founder of the skincare line Skincando goes to the farmers market, stocking up on dill, cilantro, radicchio, and Italian parsley. Meals for her brood are arranged on glass plates, and they exclusively drink Mountain Valley Spring Water—never tap. Sometimes, as a treat, the Silver Spring resident will fly in specialty products such as hay. If you’re wondering why her family has the diet of bunnies, that’s because Peanut Butter, Mittens, and Luki are bunnies. “I’m in the whole-wellness beauty industry—I’m very conscious about my diet,” says D’Amelio. “It trickles down to my pets.” She isn’t alone in taking a more human approach to pet food. The “fur baby” movement, in which pets are treated like members of the family, has officially hit the dog bowl. Or in the case of these luxe bunnies, the glass plates. In a world of dog strollers and pet acupuncture, some animal lovers are forgoing pet food for meals that more resemble our own diets in quality, content, and even presentation. For Linda Nguyen, a visit to the people doctor served as dining inspiration for her nine-year-old Labrador mix, Tucker. A physician recommended more omega-3 fatty acids, and Nguyen, a recruiter living in Brookland, figured the same advice could benefit her dog. So on many nights, she pulls out the air fryer to make two wild-caught, fresh salmon filets: one for her husband and one with no seasoning for Tucker. “Funny enough, I don’t eat salmon at all,” says Nguyen. “I refuse—I wear gloves to touch it.” But anything for her fur baby. Beyond the fish, Tucker’s diet loosely resembles that of a CrossFit trainer: bone broth, boiled chicken breasts, pumpkin purée, carrots, and rice. When you’re eating fresh food daily, birthdays call for a special treat. Tucker’s celebration includes a family picnic on the National Mall, complete with his own dog-friendly charcuterie board and a birthday cake baked by Nguyen. Birthdays are a big food moment for another Lab mix, Rafa, who lives in Columbia Heights with Emmie and Lucas Derbäck. His day-to-day diet is nothing to bark at: freshly cooked salmon or ground turkey paired with vegetables and kibble, consumed in view of an eye-level gallery wall featuring framed photos of family members and dog friends. But on birthdays, Emmie and Lucas go full Michelin to celebrate their rescue. For his second fete, they made Rafa a double-decker burger. “He took that down in three chomps,” says Emmie. “After that, we decided on small plates.” Last year, the feast was the Japanese hot-pot dish shabu shabu, full of thin cuts of meat, noodles, and broccoli. The salmon-loving dog has also enjoyed an omakase spread, and Emmie is considering Spanish tapas for his fifth birthday. Still, despite his gourmet options, Rafa remains a dog at heart. Like many of his peers, one of his favorite foods is a simple treat: peanut butter.Extra? Maybe. But when it comes to their animals, some people go all out to give them the good life.“We ended up with so many beds for our little shih tzu, Dublin. She likes to go from bed to bed. Friends and family started thinking that was so amusing, they started gifting beds. In this house, she has 12. The kitchen and the family room have three beds each so she doesn’t have to walk far. She also has two in Nantucket at my sister’s. She has beds everywhere she goes. When you bring a new bed in the house, you have to put an old T-shirt in or put it next to the former bed to get her used to it. One day, you’ll come down and she’s in that bed for a couple hours. You realize this is now accepted into the tribe. The most unique bed is a bear with his arms out. She climbs into the lap of the bear and snuggles in. That’s one of her top three.”“My mom gifted me a session with a cat communicator. I hadn’t given any information beforehand–I even used a totally anonymous email. The first questions were general, but then she started naming really specific things in our house that Ham uses, like a specific shape of bed we attach to the window. She said, ‘First of all, he doesn’t like Costco food. Second of all, the salmon oil you put on his food–he hates it.’ The communicator also clocked his medical , saying he had some pain in his rear right haunch. I took him to the vet later, and they said he had acute arthritis, which isn’t very common to see in a cat his age. My partner and I are doing another session later this month, and I’m ready to put my guard down and lean into it a bit.”“Quincy and I are extremely, extremely close. I found myself missing him and almost feeling a little guilty not bringing him on personal travel. I would be doing something fun when I was traveling, and I would just be like, ‘Wow, I really wish Quincy would be here.’ I started taking more road trips and bringing him with us. In 2018, I had a trip planned to Denver, so that was the first flight we took him on. He’s small, fits under the seat in front of us. He loved seeing new places, loved experiencing all of the mountains. Now it’s not even a second thought. We took him to Europe in 2023 for our honeymoon. We flew to the Netherlands, and then we went to Belgium and Germany. We really do try to do things that include him.”“I threw my cat an elaborate quinceañera. I knew I wanted to throw her a fun party. I had a custom garland, cat cake, stickers, straws, and matches made. There was tons of drinks, ceviche, carne asada, and tres leches for the human guests. I even dressed as a black cat to match her. My husband wore his Vans with her face on it. There were 35 people in our apartment there to celebrate Nala. I did get worried it was overwhelming for her because of how many people ended up coming, but it worked out. She was lavished with gifts, treats, and love from everyone. It was a rainy Monday, so it meant the world to have people come out and celebrate my baby girl. Now the question is: How can I top it for her sweet 16?”“She changed my whole world. I’ve thrown her birthday parties with all her friends. Punzie is short for Rapunzel. I had a company make custom Rapunzel-themed treats, a frying pan, and the crown. I broke my Cricut out, and I had a little design of Punzie’s face I had someone make. I put that on all of the gift bags for all of her friends. I had this dream of traveling with my dog everywhere. The most fabulous thing she’s ever done is Paris. Once a year, the Eiffel Tower turns pink, and Punzie is pink. She has purple-and-pink ombré right now on her ears, tail, and legs. So I was like, she has to see it. We planned our trip around her going during that time. We went to these dog cafes, and she was such a star.”“She is a diva, a princess. She has a six-foot cat tree—I call it the Washington Monument, Dua’s penthouse, Dua’s condo. I live in a studio, but fortunately the ceilings are high. On her cat tree, each level has a different perch. There’s also a scratching post, mice on rope, and all the way at the top she has a nest-looking cushion where she can sleep or look at me and judge from high above. I also have one of those cat wheels. While she can spin it herself, she demands that I also spin it for her so she can go even faster. Every evening at about 8, she gets a bit of organic boiled chicken after dinner. She also really likes ice cream. She has a bit of a sweet tooth. It has to be vanilla ice cream from Trader Joe’s, so she gets a tiny bit of that every night. She’s definitely worth going above and beyond over.”A familiar face in Dupont Circle, Gin–short for Ginsburg, as in Ruth Bader–has been a regular at Larry’s Lounge for more than seven years, where the indoor-outdoor cat stops for a top-up on treats.The Lahore pigeon with feathered feet landed in Alexandria’s Amtrak station last summer, stealing ticket agent Octavia Scott’s heart. She eventually brought him home and notes that Gregory “loves girls,” often cooing and stepping in a mating dance.West Virginia senator Jim Justice has made his English bulldog a political fixture, featuring her in campaigns and hauling the chunky canine to the Capitol in a wagon. Babydog’s favorite food is Wendy’s chicken nuggets.The nearly one-pound toucan loves flapping around his Arlington apartment or snuggling into owner Maria Stagliano’s shirt. Having a toucan is “chaotic,” says Stagliano, but Chester’s happy honks have garnered a loyal following online According to Raebel, the demand for pet birthday bashes has grown in the past five years, driven mainly by millennials. These hosts take cues from kids’ birthdays, hiring vendors and sending guests home with dog-treat goodie bags. Vienna’s Sarah Faisal is among the pet parents leaning into the trend. “It wasn’t in the cards for me to have human children,” says Faisal. “So are my whole world, and everything that I do in my life really revolves around them.” For her mini goldendoodle Mamba’s second-birthday party, Faisal hosted a backyard fiesta. More than 20 canine guests attended, dining on dog-friendly empanadas fromin Falls Church. A caricature artist sketched pup portraits. Faisal is currently organizing a birthday bash for her youngest mini-doodle, Mookie. He was born on Pi Day, so she’s in the market for some dog-friendly pizzas. Finding canine catering is now a priority as guest lists are shifting. “It’s more common to have a full birthday party with dogs in attendance,” says Raebel. “Before, it was like, ‘We’re going to have a little family birthday party for our dog with the humans coming.’ ” She recalls a particularly extravagant canine pool party in Bethesda where she stocked several glass canisters with homemade dog biscuits to create a luxe treat bar. Milestone birthdays in particular call for an elaborate celebration. Chevy Chase event planner Stacy Heit tapped into her expertise when planning a “bark mitzvah” for her dachshund, Nathan. The 13th-birthday party at District Dogs included a ceremony and reception, just like a traditional bar mitzvah. For the first half, Nathan donned a custom yarmulke and prayer shawl; in lieu of a Torah portion, Heit lifted him up–style and made a speech in his honor. The wiener dog changed into a tie for the post-ceremony soirée, which featured a “kosher hot dog” theme and Ben’s Chili Bowl catering for 25 human guests. Meanwhile, Nathan’s cohort snacked on cake from the dog bakery. Heit also set up “painting” stations for the animals: She filled plastic baggies with a canvas and a few squirts of paint, then smeared some peanut butter on top of the bag, letting the dogs go to town. The entire celebration, including a professional photographer, cost $1,150, but Heit has no regrets about going all out for Nathan, who passed away four months later. “It brought me so much joy because I had never seen him that happy and that engaged with everyone around,” she says. “He knew: ‘This is for me, and you are all here for me.’ ”Shoppers will find natural treats, carriers, grooming tools, and more. The shop also caters to cats, fish, and other small pets.Rows of shelves are dedicated to sustainable, ethically produced pet food. Beyond toys and other merchandise for cats and dogs, the boutique carries items for chickens, horses, reptiles, goats, fish, and more.This shop in Del Ray and Belle View Shopping Center has a wide swath of products, from dog harnesses and tough toys to cat shampoo and grain-free food.The best way to find someone reliable is to ask another dog parent, preferably who lives nearby. A personal recommendation for this very personal service goes a long way. Your vet is another resource. A pack of apps also link gig-economy workers with owners. “Using an app to locate a care provider can be a great way to expand your support system,” says Marny Nofi, an animal-behavior expert at the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. Pets crave routine, says Nofi, and having a different walker every day isn’t ideal. “It’s in your pet’s best interests to narrow the field to one or two consistent caregivers.” Always check references and documentation of liability insurance. Invite the potential walker to your house to gauge how well they get on with Scruffy or Muffy, asking questions such as “How long will you spend walking my dog?” and “How will you be sure she doesn’t eat something bad?” You’ll also want details on emergency protocol for the dog and the walker. Determine how they’ll access your property, then ask about pricing and whether a regular schedule can score a discount.for names of kennels. Once you’ve zeroed in on a few potential spots, tour where your pet will sleep and roam, examining the cleanliness. If there’s an outside area or dog run, check for adequate fencing. Ask about schedules for exercise and feeding, including whether you can provide your own food. Also inquire about staff’s ability to administer medications, which vet they call for emergencies, and required vaccines. Before a lengthy stay, consider a one- or two-night trial run, then use the online cam—most businesses have them—to see how your pet fares. Finally, get hours and rates, including pricing for extras such as managing medication and giving your furball extra attention. Be aware: There’s often little correlation between price and quality of care.Sitters generally charge $70 to $100 a day for one pet, usually more than the cost of boarding a single animal. But most offer discounts for additional pets or bill by the visit, regardless of your menagerie’s size, meaning that a sitting service could cost less than a kennel if you have more than one fuzzy friend. To find a sitter, ask friends or vets or check ratings at Checkbook.org. Apps such as Rover and Care.com have listings, but you’ll need to do your due diligence. Check references and pricing , and dig into a business’s training and experience. Ask about the policy for taking your pet to the vet in an emergency as well as their comfort with administering medication. Introduce your pet to a potential sitter, and before leaving an animal in new hands, show the person around your home, detailing any issues with locks, doors, or gear such as litter boxes and leashes. Leave instructions about your pal’s routine—ideally, both an email reminder and a printed note placed in an easy-to-see location. You wouldn’t trust your pet with just anyone. These professionals are top-rated by Washington Consumers’ Checkbook. When your cat needs a checkup or it’s time for the dog’s summer haircut, who are you calling? Finding the right care for your pet is an important decision. This directory is compiled byis a nonprofit devoted to helping people get the best service and lowest prices. It is supported by consumers and takes no money from service providers it evaluates. Washingtonian readers can access Checkbook’s ratings and advice for free through April 30 atas an Editorial Fellow in 2026. A proud Osage Native from Dallas, Texas, he is pursuing a Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing at American University. He is a graduate of Columbia University and the London School of Economics. He lives in Mount Pleasant.in Fall 2025 as an Editorial Fellow. A 2024 recipient of the American Mosaic Journalism Prize, she resides in Prince George’s County, Maryland.and a senior at American University, studying Political Science and Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies. She lives in Washington, D.C.Does Eleanor Holmes Norton Still Have What It Takes to Fight for DC?
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